Introduction to the Incident
San Bernardino police responded to what they described as “an officer-involved shooting” involving federal immigration officers Saturday morning. When police officers responded to the area of Acacia Avenue and Baseline Street shortly before 9 a.m., they encountered immigration agents who said they had fired at a suspect who then fled the scene.
Details of the Operation
Soon after, according to the San Bernardino Police Department, a man — who has not been identified — contacted the dispatch center, saying that masked men had tried to pull him over, broke his car window and shot at him. He said he didn’t know who they were and asked for police assistance. In a statement Saturday night, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said agents had been conducting a targeted enforcement operation in San Bernardino and said that “[Customs and Border Protection] officers were injured during a vehicle stop when a subject refused to exit his vehicle and tried to run them down.”
Agent’s Version of Events
“In the course of the incident the suspect drove his car at the officers and struck two CBP officers with his vehicle,” the statement read. Because of that, the official said, a CBP officer discharged his firearm “in self-defense.” According to a news release from the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, federal agents broke the driver and passenger windows of the vehicle and fired three times.
Video Evidence
Video the group uploaded on Facebook appeared to capture the interaction, showing agents wearing “police” vests and shouting at those inside to roll down the window. “No la voy a abrir,” the man said from inside, saying he wasn’t going to open it. Soon after, the video captured the sound of shattering glass and what sounded like three shots being fired. The video showed a man wearing a hat with CBP on it. The video appears to show the vehicle leaving after the windows are smashed, but does not capture the driver striking the officers.
Reaction from the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice
“This was a clear abuse of power,” the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice said in its release. “Firing at civilians, harassing families without cause, and targeting community voices must stop.” The group added that two community members “were detained using unnecessary force, including one for speaking out.”
Police Involvement and Investigation
According to the San Bernardino Police Department, officers later located the vehicle in the 1000 block of Mt. View Drive and made contact with the man, but they said it was unclear what federal agents wanted him for. “Under the California Values Act, California law enforcement agencies are prohibited from assisting federal officials with immigration enforcement, so our officers left the scene as the investigation was being conducted by federal authorities,” police said in a news release. Federal investigators are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting, according to the police.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the tension between federal immigration enforcement and local law enforcement in California, particularly in light of the state’s sanctuary policies. The use of force by federal agents has raised concerns about abuse of power and the safety of community members. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact the relationship between federal and local law enforcement agencies in the state.
FAQs
- What happened during the operation in San Bernardino?
Federal immigration agents conducted a targeted enforcement operation, which resulted in shots being fired at a vehicle with people inside. - What is the California Values Act, and how does it relate to this incident?
The California Values Act prohibits local law enforcement agencies from assisting federal officials with immigration enforcement, which is why the San Bernardino Police Department did not assist in the investigation. - What is the current status of the investigation?
Federal investigators are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. - How has the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice responded to the incident?
The group has condemned the actions of the federal agents, calling it a "clear abuse of power" and demanding that such actions stop. - What are the implications of this incident for the relationship between federal and local law enforcement agencies in California?
The incident highlights the tension between federal immigration enforcement and local law enforcement in California, particularly in light of the state’s sanctuary policies.
